How to Start Freelancing
Freelancing is the future, with the number of freelancers growing three times faster than the traditional workforce.
Why? Freelancing has a lot of perks — you get to be your own boss, you have utmost flexibility with your schedule, and you’re able to make money doing work on your own terms.
However, freelancing isn’t all sleeping-in-until-11am and working from anywhere in the world.
The truth is — it can be hard.
Being your own boss can be stressful for the same reasons that make it wonderful: you have to understand how to market yourself, learn how to be your own accountant, be an efficient project manager, and on top of it all — you have to deliver a stellar service.
So if you’re brand new to freelancing, it can feel impossible to know where to start.
But no need to worry — we’re going to cover everything you need to know to start freelancing, from sending your first proposal to depositing your first freelance check, all in this post.
Deciding On Your Niche
So you want to be a freelancer.
What services are you going to provide? What kinds of gigs do you want to charge money for?
If you don’t already have an idea of the services you’ll provide, ask yourself the following question:
“What services do I enjoy doing AND am good at?”
The answer will determine what area you should aim to freelance in. This may not be the exact area you start in, but it will give you a good idea of what niche you want to work in further down the road.
And while you’re answering this question, don’t be too modest with your passions & areas of expertise.
For example: If you just graduated with a geology degree and love writing, you could start with freelance science writing and science communications.
Or if you’re really into veganism and you’re great at Photoshop, you could start by looking for freelance graphic design work for animal charities.
When you first start freelancing, you might need to take gigs that aren’t related to your desired niche — and that’s okay. It’s important to build your portfolio, and everybody starts somewhere.
But it’s also important for you to have an ideal client as a goal in your mind.
What are you working towards? What do you want to work up to? If not a specific area or expertise, think of the type of person you’d love to work with, and note it down.
Once you have an idea of the initial services you’re going to provide and who you’ll provide them to, you can start pitching them to potential clients!
Building Your Portfolio
Your portfolio is what you’ll send to potential clients to show you have what it takes to fulfill their needs.
At the core of any hiring decision is the existence of a problem, and the need for a solution.
As a freelancer, you’re solving the problems and pain points of a client that can’t solve it themselves.
So, it’s your job to show them you’re capable!
How to Build a Portfolio With Zero Experience
I know it can feel like a cruel Catch-22 to want to start freelancing. To get a client, you need experience. But to get experience, you need a client!
However — I promise you that it’s not impossible. You likely have work you can include in your portfolio right now, without even knowing it.
Include Personal Projects in Your Portfolio
If you’ve never done work for a client before, but you’ve spent time doing graphic design for yourself or your own projects, you can include it in your portfolio. Or if you’ve built up an impressive personal social media account, include it! Or if you have a blog you’ve updated semi-consistently over the years — great! Include it.
And if you don’t have previous projects to include, you can create some now.
Want to do freelance video editing? Download stock footage and edit it to a sick beat. Put it in your portfolio.
Want to start freelance blogging? Write three blog posts on topics you’re passionate about. Stick them in your portfolio.
When you’re first starting, “fake it ’til you make it” isn’t just a cheeky phrase — it can mean the difference between landing the gig or not.
Include Past School Projects
Any project you’ve done in school that relates to what you want to freelance can also be included.
This doesn’t mean including an essay with “English 101” on the header — this means actual projects — like videos, graphic designs, blog posts, etc.
For example, when I first started freelancing, I put a mock-commercial I filmed from my video class in my portfolio.
And guess what?
It helped me land a social media gig that required minimal video editing.
Do Work For Free (only at first!)
If you don’t have any personal projects or projects from school to include in your portfolio — you can also do work pro-bono (for free).
This is last on my list of recommendations as it’s not an accessible option for everyone, nor is it sustainable long term.
I only recommend doing work for free if you truly believe the end-result will be valuable to include in your portfolio.
How do you know if it’s worth it?
- It should be directly related to the niche you want to work in.
- You should be able to commit as much time to the gig as you would a paid one (so the quality doesn’t suffer)
If it doesn’t meet either of the standards above, it’s not worth your time.
Here’s how to find high quality pro-bono work:
- Acadium (a website that pairs interns with business owners)
- Submitting blog posts to websites on topics you want to niche in
- Pitching your services to a nonprofit or charity (ideally, one that’s related to a niche you want to work in)
Beyond those three options, I would generally be cautious about providing free work for profitable businesses.
Unfortunately, there’s a huge number of business owners out there who exploit young or inexperienced freelancers, promising “exposure” or “experience.” If it’s truly not worth your time — run the other way.
How to Curate Your Portfolio
Congrats! You know what services you want to provide, and you have work in your portfolio to show for it.
Now it’s time for you to consider the best way to curate and present your portfolio.
Here are some quick tips to help you curate your portfolio:
- Organize your portfolio into a shareable Google Drive folder. This option is highly flexible and free, allowing you to tailor each portfolio you share to the requirements and niche of the job.
- Once you’re farther along and charging higher rates, you can use a site builder like Squarespace or Wix to showcase your work in a way that is simple, clear, and professional. This is best for when you know your niche and have a stronger portfolio of work to share.
Key Takeaway: The portfolio you send to a client should always be tailored to the job/gig you’re applying for.
So if you’re pitching your services for a graphic design gig, send examples of your graphic design work. If you’re pitching your copywriting skills, send examples of your past blogs and articles. Stick to sending examples of the work they’re asking for.
How to Find Freelance Gigs
When I first started freelancing, I had NO IDEA where to find clients. My dream was to quit my full time job so I could go fully freelance, and be my own boss.
My very first freelance client was my old hairstylist — she posted on Facebook that she needed social media help from a college student, so I quickly messaged her and pitched a basic social media package. She signed a one month contract with me — and I was ecstatic.
Not long after, my second client came through a friend of a friend. She knew a woman who needed social media help, so she sent her my way, and bam, I had another client.
This was great to start with — but neither of them had businesses or niches I cared about, and I was charging such low rates, I had no idea how I was going to ever be able to quit my full time job (which was the dream).
But, things started changing rapidly when I started actively pitching my services in freelancing Facebook groups and on Upwork. Instead of relying on word of mouth, I was now pitching my services to strangers all over the world. This widened my pool of prospective clients IMMENSELY.
How to find freelance gigs on Facebook
There are a variety of freelancing Facebook groups that are full of freelance gigs and opportunities.
I personally have gotten freelance gigs from the following groups:
I’ve also gotten freelance gigs from Facebook groups related to my niche.
I recommend you join as many Facebook groups related to the niche you want to work in as you can! This is where you’ll find the unicorn gigs that seem like the perfect fit for you.
Here are my best tips for pitching your services in Facebook groups:
- Only comment in response to someone looking for a freelancer. Don’t post your services as a standalone post — this is a quick way to get you kicked out of most groups.
- Monitor the group daily if you’re hungry for freelance work. Use the “recent posts” filter to find which gigs were posted most recently.
- Pitch your services only to the gigs you’re qualified for.
- Follow the instructions the poster gives about applying to the gig, and be sure to email or message them directly instead of just commenting on their post.
- Don’t be discouraged if a post has dozens of comments on it already — go ahead and message the poster, and leave your info in the comments. They will be looking for the best fits for the job — so if you’re a great fit and you’ve pitched yourself well, it’s fairly easy to stand out from the other comments!
- Always follow up with the poster if they don’t respond within 48 hours.
How to Find Freelance Gigs on Upwork
Upwork is a platform specifically made to connect freelancers with clients in need of specialized work.
It’s a great place to start freelancing, albeit a bit intimidating at first. But don’t worry — after you start getting gigs, your experience will compound, and one day you’ll find yourself getting more work requests than you can handle.
Here are my best tips for getting gigs on Upwork:
- Make sure to complete your entire profile, listing all your relevant experience and uploading work from your portfolio.
- When you first start, pitch your services at the lowest rate you can justify. Clients on Upwork generally hire based on experience — they want to see that you’re reliable, and that you’ve completed projects before. Since you won’t have any experience listed on the Upwork platform when you first signup, you’ll need to compensate for that by taking low paying, easy gigs just to get your ratings up.
- When you pitch your services, make sure to answer all of their questions, and focus on how you can solve their problem.
- It’s normal to never hear back after pitching from someone on Upwork. Don’t get discouraged. For every 15 jobs I pitch for, I usually hear back from no more than 1–2. And that’s on a good day.
- As you build up your experience on Upwork, you’ll be able to gradually increase your hourly or project rate. Be patient, and with time, you’ll be able to make $25, $50, and eventually $100+ an hour.
How to find freelance gigs from your personal network
I got my start in freelancing from my personal network of friends and family. Though they weren’t remotely connected to the niche I work in now, that’s how I got my foot in the door of the freelancing world. It’s a great place to start, especially to get low-pressure experience.
I put this one last, though, as it’s not a sustainable way to find new clients.
The first step is letting your friends and family know you’re available for freelance work, and what kind of freelance work you do.
Post about your services on social media and text your family members and friends about it — don’t be shy. The people that love you want to help you out.
It’s extremely possible that the uncle you haven’t talked to in four years knows someone who needs a freelancer with your exact expertise.
After you reach out to your immediate network — think a little bit about anyone you know who:
- Runs a business related to your niche
OR
- Works in a field related to your niche
This could include people you’re connected with on LinkedIn, past professors, previous clients, or friends of friends.
Write down their names, find their contact info, then go through your list and schedule calls with each person to ask for advice and referrals.
This is a great way to stay top of mind when they (or someone they know) is in need of the exact services you offer.
How to pitch yourself to a potential client
Now we’re getting to the fun part — actually pitching your services!
The core of any good pitch starts with clearly and concisely addressing the client’s problems, and showing them how you can solve them.
It can be confusing or unclear as to what you should include in your pitch — but don’t worry, I got you covered.
I made a pitch template for you to use every time you make a pitch to a client!
Download your free client pitch template HERE
You can adjust the pitch template based on the services you provide and the niche you provide them in.
If you don’t hear back after sending your pitch, be sure to follow up with a second email asking if they got your first message.
A good rule of thumb is to follow up five days after your pitch, then again after two weeks. If they don’t respond after that, consider the opportunity closed.
If you do hear back, woohoo! You’re one step closer to getting hired.
But you’re not done yet. Ugh. I know — this is a LOT of work!
Drafting a proposal and contract
It’s time to seal the deal. Meaning: You’re going to need to draft a proposal with a brief overview of the services you’ll provide for them.
Don’t give away your strategy in the proposal — just outline the value you’ll bring to them, and how you’ll do it.
They might want to have a phone call or meeting to discuss the proposal and ask you questions. If so, come prepared!
Write down all the questions they might ask, and be prepared to answer them. Also, write down any questions you have for the client! Write down everything you need to know to help you deliver the best service possible.
After you mutually agree on the proposal, you’ll have to send over a contract.
You can find free contract templates online, but if you want to be FULLY protected in the not-so-uncommon case of a client deciding they don’t want to pay you after 50+ hours of billable work — get a contract written by a legitimate lawyer.
How to Believe in Yourself, Show Up, and Do a Kickass Job
Congrats! Hopefully at this point you’ve landed a new client and you’re excited to get started.
The only thing left is to show up and do a GREAT job for your client, so they hire you again, refer you to another client, or leave you a stellar review (ideally all three!).
Here are my top tips for providing an outstanding service:
- Be extremely clear in your communication. Ask your client to clarify anything you don’t understand, and be direct with your own needs and expertise.
- Be quick and thorough in your communication with the client. Freelancers are notoriously flaky, and you don’t want to fall into that category. It’s a quick way to lose a client. Always answer emails from the client in a timely manner.
- Always ask for a review after your work is delivered.
And if you’re ever doubting yourself or your abilities, take a second to breathe, and remember why you wanted to become a freelancer in the first place: you have the grit it takes to be your own boss, and you’re willing to put in the hard work to do it.
Freelancing takes consistency. So if you take the time to curate a killer portfolio, reach out to your personal network, pitch your services to clients online, and dedicate yourself to delivering the best service possible, you’ll find success.
And if you’ve read all the way to the end of this post— you’re already way ahead of the game.
Best of luck, you got this.
Follow me on twitter @babb_sophia for more advice on freelancing, marketing, & productivity.
